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EnduroKA finally returned to the circuit on April 14, signaling the end of the series winter break.
Silverstone’s National configuration welcomed a bumper grid of Ford KAs for their first race of 2024, with all teams itching to hit the ground running and secure the first trophies of the new season.
PRO-AM Racing enjoyed a strong debut season in EnduroKA last year and returned to the grid with two KAs for 2024. It was their #12 KA who set the early benchmark in Northamptonshire, with driver Richard Jepp immediately on the pace. Also quick out the blocks was GM Performance’s Darren Stapleton, who managed to shave a tenth off Jepp’s time to put the #81 KA at the top of the timing sheet. As the morning’s session progressed the lap times began to drop. MilnAir Racing were another team to display strong pace throughout the 2023 season and Jack Wright ensured the #46 KA was back contesting at the front again in 2024, quickly bettering his times to take provisional pole. However, GM Performance were undeterred in their quest to start at the front of the grid and driver Ian Mitchell instantly responded with an impressive 1:19:394. With fifteen minutes of the session left, each team tried to displace GM Performance from their spot at the top of the classification, but it wasn’t to be and the Stapleton/Mitchell duo would be the first polesitters of the 2024 season. MilnAir Racing would join GM Performance on the front row, with strong displays from Shine Automotive and 11Tenths Racing resulting in third and fourth on the grid respectively. KM Racing, PRO-AM Racing #12, Ka Tastrophy, Windgat Racing, Graves Motorsport #95 and Autotech Motorsport #65 rounded out the top ten.
Racing in EnduroKA is usually incredibly competitive and this was definitely the case in the opening hour of the 2024 season. After the opening sixty minutes, just 0.394secs separated the leading trio. MilnAir Racing were leading the way, with PRO-AM Racing #12 and GM Performance both hot on the leaders heels. The lead had been swapping hands between the three throughout the opening stint, providing a gripping watch for everyone else. It wasn’t just the battle for the top three catching the eye either, as there was some tremendous racing going on all through the field. Having qualified in 18th, KaHoona’s Race Team had enjoyed an exceptional start to find themselves just three seconds behind the leader in fourth. Just as impressive was the rise of KA Lamaty, who had worked their way up from 27th on the grid to 10th. Both the 3 Amigos and sister PRO-AM Racing KA had worked their way into the top six, as we headed into the second hour of racing.
The theme for the second hour was much the same as the first, with constant jostling throughout the field. Pit stop strategy was starting to come into play too, as teams all searched for the optimal time to complete their first driver changes. At the three hour mark, incredibly just 3.318secs separated the leading two KAs. PRO-AM Racing #12 continued to trail MilnAir Racing, but the battle was intense and neither team were able to make a mistake. Autotech Motorsport #65’s solid opening stints had seen the team rise to third in the rankings, ahead of KaHoona’s Race Team, PRO-AM Racing #8 and a surging KAsh Strapped Racing. Having started on the penultimate row of the grid, Autotech Motorsport #64 had put in some brilliant moves to head into the second half of the race in P10.
As the checkered flag drew closer, it was clear that a two-horse battle between MilnAir Racing and PRO-AM Racing #12 would dictate the winning KA. MilnAir Racing still held the advantage, putting in impressive times lap after lap, but still PRO-AM Racing #12 were finding a way to trim the gap to the leader. With just five minutes left on the clock, both teams darted into the pits for their final driver change. The pit stops would prove critical to the final result. A fuel stop infringement for the MilnAir Racing team resulted in a two lap penalty right at the death, ensuring it was PRO-AM Racing #12 who became the first EnduroKA winners in 2024! A huge congratulations to Will Hillyard, Scott Thompson and Richard Jepp for the achievement. It was an incredible race and the #12 team consistently demonstrated both their pace and race craft to take home the spoils. MilnAir Racing’s trio of George Wright, Jack Wright and Jonny Milner were left ruing what could have been, but, despite the penalty, still came home in second after a strong performance. The final step of the podium belonged to Taylor Norton, Reece Kellow and Toby Owen of Autotech Motorsport #65. The three drivers had each played their part in an assured drive to the trophies, seeing off rivals with both pace and good defensive work. PRO-AM Racing’s sister #8 KA of Darren Midgley, Oliver Furnell and Gordon Mutch narrowly missed out on the podium places in fourth, finishing ahead of KA Tastrophy, KaHoona’s Race Team, 3 Amigos, Windgat Racing, Shine Automotive and Boston Racing.
MilnAir Racing recorded the fastest lap with a 1:19:326, while Tango & Crash were worthy recipients of the first Dagenham Dustbin of the season.
Don’t forget you can rewatch all the action via the live stream on the MSVT Racing YouTube page: